Band 5.5 IELTS Writing Task 1 Model Answer

Overall Band Score: 5.5 · Cambridge IELTS 20 · 2026-11-03

IELTS Writing Task 1 question

The first table below shows changes in the total population of New York City from 1800 to 2000. The second and third tables show changes in the population of the five districts of the city (Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens, Staten Island) over the same period.

Summarise the information by selecting and reporting the main features, and make comparisons where relevant.

Student answer (Band 5.5)

the first given finger illustrates changes of total population in New York City while second and third tables chart show total population with percentage of five different districts of the city manhattan, brooklyn, bronx,queens and staten island ober the period 1800 to 2000.

Overall, Can seen New York City and others city has been increased number of population over the period expect Manhattan city. while Manhattan had height population of percentage in year 1800.

in 1800 new york city has 79216 total population which is increased drastically in 1900 and reached [redacted phone] total population. remain year 2000 its rose [redacted phone] population and reached highest number of population over the time period.

in 1800 Manhattan had only 60516 population with highest percentage of 76%. after that it's number rose around [redacted phone] of the year 1900. However in 2000 population had decreased 19% and drop at [redacted phone] population.

remaining other four cities had lowest number of population of 18701 with 25% by 1800.

that's increased 46 percentage in 1900 and after that rose drastically in 2000 and reached [redacted phone] population with 81%.

AI examiner evaluation

Task Achievement / Task Response: Band 6.0

You cover the main overall changes: New York City’s population rose substantially, Manhattan’s share declined, and the other districts’ combined share increased. You also include relevant figures for all three years, so the response addresses the task. However, some details are inaccurate or unclear: the other districts had 24%, not 25%, in 1800, and Manhattan’s population fell from 1,850,093 to 1,538,096 by 2000, while the sentence says it “decreased 19%,” confusing the population with its share. The overview also says the other city populations increased, but does not clearly distinguish the combined population from the percentage share. Make the overview more precise and report each measure accurately.

Coherence and Cohesion: Band 5.5

The response has a recognisable structure, moving from an introduction and overview to details about the total population, Manhattan, and the other districts. Time markers such as “in 1800,” “after that,” and “in 2000” help the reader follow the chronology. However, progression is weakened by unclear references and mechanical linking. For example, “remaining other four cities” is not clearly connected to the earlier discussion, and “that's increased 46 percentage in 1900” leaves the reader to infer what increased. The overview also combines several ideas in a confusing sentence. Use separate, clearly focused paragraphs and name the population or percentage whenever you describe a change.

Lexical Resource: Band 5.0

You use some relevant vocabulary for describing data, including “increased drastically,” “decreased,” “percentage,” and “reached.” However, the range is limited and several word choices or collocations make the report less natural or precise. “The first given finger” appears to mean “the first table,” while “total population with percentage” does not clearly describe the information shown. Phrases such as “highest number of population” and “rose 46 percentage” are also awkward; use standard expressions such as “largest population” and “the share rose to 46%.” Check spelling and word forms as well, including “ober” and “Can seen.” More accurate data-reporting vocabulary would improve clarity.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy: Band 5.0

You attempt both simple and more developed sentences, and the reader can generally identify the intended comparisons. However, errors in sentence structure, verb forms, articles, and punctuation occur often enough to make some statements difficult to follow. For example, “Overall, Can seen New York City and others city has been increased” lacks a clear grammatical structure and has problems with agreement and verb form. “in 1800 new york city has 79216 total population” also needs more accurate tense and article use. Capitalisation and sentence boundaries are inconsistent, particularly in the overview. Practise forming complete sentences with a clear subject and verb, and use past simple consistently for these historical figures.

See this exact question answered at other band scores. The same prompt compared across bands.

Browse more IELTS Writing model answers or get your own writing scored by the same AI examiner.